Flying over Thanksgiving is traditionally a chaotic experience, and this year is no exception as severe weather looms over various parts of the country. In New York, heavy rains coupled with strong winds are predicted to hit on Tuesday night and continue through Wednesday, which are considered peak holiday travel days. To shed light on what travelers can expect and offer some advice on how to alleviate the stress, we spoke with Aidan O'Donnell, the deputy director of the Aviation Department at Port Authority.

With passenger demand expected to surge, O'Donnell revealed that the Port Authority is bracing for an estimated 3 million passengers from Monday the 20th through Monday the 27th, making it the busiest Thanksgiving travel period on record. However, the impending weather conditions add an extra layer of concern. O'Donnell emphasized the impact of rain and winds on flight operations and how it could create challenges not only locally in New York and New Jersey, but also at large hubs such as Atlanta, Charlotte, and Chicago, which are also expecting poor weather.

Acknowledging that delays tend to be more impactful during peak holiday travel, O'Donnell highlighted the preparations at each airport managed by the Port Authority. Airport general managers are ensuring that airline partners, third-party service providers, and federal partners like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have the necessary staffing and resources for a successful operation during this busy period.

In addition to the obvious advice of arriving early and having all necessary documents prepared, O'Donnell suggested utilizing the Port Authority's wait-time information available on their websites. This allows travelers to have visibility into real-time TSA checkpoint wait times at each terminal, providing reassurance and a better understanding of what to expect. For those driving to the airport, pre-booking parking is strongly recommended. It not only guarantees a spot but also offers a pre-booking discount, benefiting both the traveler and the airport in terms of operational planning.

When asked about the return trip, O'Donnell noted that the Thanksgiving holiday travel period tends to last longer than before due to COVID-related factors. Expectations are that passenger volumes will remain high throughout the following week, particularly on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. O'Donnell advised travelers flying back to exercise the same preparation and patience they had during their departure.

Reflecting on past challenges, O'Donnell pointed to Winter Storm Grayson in January 2018 as one of the craziest travel days he encountered in this job. The snowfall event led to widespread airline cancellations, flight delays, and luggage mishaps. However, valuable lessons were learned to better tackle such situations.

As for O'Donnell's personal plans, he will be staying local in northern New Jersey, enduring the usual traffic as he visits family on Long Island. Although fortunate not to deal with the stress of flying, he also emphasized the Port Authority's readiness to swiftly handle any issues that may arise at the airports, ensuring travelers can continue on their journeys.

With Thanksgiving travel expectations at their peak, passengers are advised to stay informed, be prepared, and remain patient as they navigate through potentially adverse weather conditions.